Andre Gray targets England call after becoming Watford's record signing

Spree: Andre Gray's arrival takes Watford's summer spending to over £40m
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Giuseppe Muro11 August 2017

New Watford signing Andre Gray has targeted an England call-up after his £18.5million move to Vicarage Road.

Gray joined from Burnley in a club-record deal and could make his debut against Liverpool in the lunchtime kick-off tomorrow.

The 26-year-old forward is confident he will justify his pricetag and has set his sights on a place in the national squad.

Gray, who represented England C when he was playing non-League football, knows he needs to improve to be selected by Gareth Southgate but hopes his move will help him earn an international call-up.

“That is an ambition of mine ever since I played for England C,” he said. “I have got to prove myself here yet and score goals and then go from there.

“Am I good enough? Not at the minute, if I am honest. I feel like I have got the potential as long as I keep improving.”

Gray scored nine goals in his first season in the Premier League last term and would bring raw talent to the England squad.

“I would like to keep that [raw talent] in me,” he says. “That is the lion in me that keeps me going. But I still need to polish up on a few things to get the call-up.”

Gray feels he is worth the money Watford spent. He said: “I do not see why not. I signed for Burnley for £9m from Brentford two years ago and people asked the same question.

“I went there, we got promoted and I was top goalscorer and player of the year. I do not think anyone questioned it then.

“More than anything it is exciting the belief that the club have shown in me. To go and spend that kind of money just breeds more confidence.”

Gray feels he could form a formidable partnership with Troy Deeney at Vicarage Road.

There has been talk that Deeney could leave but new coach Marco Silva has confirmed he wants the Watford captain to stay.

Gray said: “We are both quite robust and aggressive so I am sure if we play together we will cause defenders a lot of problems.”

Meanwhile, Silva has said midfielder Roberto Pereyra is over his serious knee injury and is ready to play a major role this season. Pereyra impressed after making his £13m move from Juventus last summer but tore ligaments in his right knee in December and missed the second half of last season.

But the 26-year-old, an Argentina international, is fit for the new campaign. Silva said: “He has a lot of quality. If he can stay fit he can really help our team. He is a very good player. It is easy to see that when you look at his past and where he played.

“We need to be careful with him. The last game he played 60 minutes and did well. I saw more confidence in his moves.”

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